I've watched it twice now and it's interesting watching their, Karl and Danny, interaction with one another. Karl to me gives off at the very least a bi-curious vibe. However, he knew exactly what he was gifting Danny, so there's that.
A consistent question I've seen is why would they design the characters that way. My only real logic to that is the developers wanted it to be realistic. Much in the way that USS Callister was realistic. The only reason they were virtual Barbie/Ken dolls is because ol' boy purposely designed it that way on his local network, since it was supposed like a punishment / dungeon kind of deal. As soon as they escaped his local network they all got their junk back as it's the untampered design. I assume this to be the same tech as it seemingly performs the same tasking and they wanted the characters to look and feel as real as possible. Although not highly likely, it's possible they didn't think about it at all.
I saw this episode from an addiction standpoint a lot. Also dabbling in infidelity. Karl is apparently bouncing from woman to woman, never REALLY locking in on a substantial relationship. Which could be looked at 2 ways: A. typical womanizer or B. He can't find a woman that gets him like Danny does, which is what he wants. Danny on the other hand is in a loving and committed marriage, however we see him constantly window shopping. And lastly Danny's wife, Theo, who they continually demonstrate AND from judging from these comments the thirst for her is REAL.
Karl I think is initially framed as a sex addict in my eyes, while batting the blind eye to some evidence. But he also behaves in a way of an addict. Every bit of his character interaction would be the same if you switched it a hard drug (meth, coke, crack). When he first talks to Danny about how it felt to be a woman (I FIND IT MORE WEIRD THAT THEY NEVER SWITCH CHARACTERS BUT I DIGRESS). He compares it to a solo act vs an orchestra. It's an intensity comparison. Intensity of the high, or orgasm. Not once does he say it felt right to be in that body or anything of the sort. When he tells Danny he loves him, I questioned whether that was the sex or LITERALLY Danny that he loves. After Danny makes a clean break, Karl shows signs of what I can only describe as withdrawl. He was having a breakdown similar to that of the doctor in Black Museum. Smashing shorty and just not able to 'get off', i.e.- "These drugs aren't strong enough". Right down to his whole spiel to Danny at dinner. Reminded me more of a head looking for another hit rather than love. He's literally trying everything to find that high, and Danny is the pinnacle. No high is better
Danny, since he has the wondering eye, seems to be wanting to chase skirts, which brings light to another question I'll lay out later. For him the game acts as, porn IMO. He's just trying to smash something with a vagina that's NOT his wife. At least that's where it all starts in my mind. From there I think things begin to get a little muddied since Karl is seemingly sharing REAL and very intimate emotion within the simulation....as Roxette.
The ending seemed that they'd agree to moving into an open relationship to allow Danny and Karl their virtual friend time once a year. She gets to be single for the night and get some outside **** which clearly isn't going to be a problem for her to find. .....And he can give virtual **** to his friend, Karl. lol
I ended up having two separate epiphanies that I think many can agree with and is a theme that's already existed:
Love = Addiction
BreakUps = Withdrawl
Also,
Were they 'gay' the whole time?
Maybe. I still think Karl is bi-curious. For Danny I don't really think so. I think it took some time in game for him to even consider it
Is using the software like this cheating?
No, as no one's being physically touched whatsoever. So in a purely physical sense, how can it be considered anything other than
Yes, because that was clearly intimate. Once you get into the mental then I think it can fall into the line of cheating.
If you are using this software as a way to get off, are you gay if you either A. Choose a character that is not your sex, B. get matched up with someone of the same sex who has chosen a character of the opposite?
IDK about this one. How do you even know
I wish.
